Fabian Anthony Forte

Quick Facts

Fabian Anthony Forte, known as Fabian, is an American teen idol of the late 1950s and early 1960s. He rose to national prominence after performing several times on American Bandstand. In total, he charted 11 hit singles on the Billboard Hot 100.

Fabian was born the son of Josephine and Domenic Forte. His father was a policeman. Fabian was discovered in 1957 by Bob Marcucci and Peter DeAngelis, owners of Chancellor Records. At the time, record producers were looking to the South Philadelphia neighborhoods in search of teenage talents with good looks, and Frankie Avalon, also of South Philly, suggested Fabian as a possibility.

Fabian was the oldest of three brothers, and with his father ill and unable to work, he hoped to earn enough for his family. At fifteen, Fabian won the Silver Award as "The Promising Male Vocalist of 1958."

With songwriters Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, Fabian released a series of hit singles for Chancellor Records including "I'm a Man", "Hound Dog Man", a #9 hit in the U.S., "Turn Me Loose", and his biggest hit, "Tiger", which reached number 3 in the U.S. charts. Other singles that charted included "String Along", "About This Thing Called Love" and "This Friendly World", which reached #12 on the U.S. charts.